In the heart of Union County stands a solemn tribute to two of Elizabeth’s most revered Revolutionary-era figures: Rev. James Caldwell and his wife Hannah Caldwell. Their sacrifice, service, and tragedy etched them into the collective memory of New Jersey and made Elizabethtown a sacred ground in the fight for American independence.

Rev. James Caldwell, the minister of Elizabethtown’s First Presbyterian Church, was known as the “Fighting Parson.” A chaplain to the New Jersey militia, he was a powerful voice for liberty, preaching against tyranny in both sermons and strategy meetings. With unshakable patriotism, he became a symbol of spiritual and civic resistance.

His wife, Hannah Caldwell, stood with him through constant wartime uncertainty—managing their home and raising nine children while British troops advanced ever closer.

On June 7, 1780, during the Battle of Connecticut Farms, British and Loyalist troops raided the region. That day, Hannah Caldwell was fatally shot in her home, an act believed by many to be deliberate. She became an instant martyr, and her death electrified patriot support across the state.

“Remember Hannah Caldwell” became a rallying cry for the American cause.

In 1845, the First Presbyterian Church of Elizabeth raised a monument to Rev. James and Hannah Caldwell. Today, that monument is more than stone—it is a public vow never to forget.

In 2025, the Union County Historical Society invites the public to a rededication ceremony, reaffirming the Caldwells’ central role in our local and national story.

Location: 42 Broad St. • Elizabeth, NJ 07201

Date: Saturday, June 21, 2025

Time: 11am

Hosted by: Union County Historical Society